The Henson Journals

[58]

Tuesday, January 28th, 1919.

We travelled to London viâ Gloucester, leaving Hereford at 9.50 a.m., and arriving in Paddington about 3.45 p.m. After some delay, we secured a taxi, & drove to 35 Eaton Square, where I left Ella: and then went on to Garlant's Hotel where I had secured rooms. I went to the Athenaeum where I found the Bishop of Norwich, and Sir H. Craik. Lord Parmoor laid hold of me with some talk of a letter to the "Times" on the matter of feeding the starving population in mid–Europe. He wanted me to sign it.

[59] [symbol]

Fisher was in the reading room, & I had an interesting talk with him. He said that Wilson impressed him as genuine, & that he was an admirable speaker. We spoke of Oxford, & I expressed the opinion that he ought to succeed Prothero. He replied that he would have desired nothing better had he not been already committed to his present seat. He was rather anxious about Oxford lest it should provoke public interference by appealing for public funds. Riley & I dined together, & had much talk. He & his friends want to wreck the Selborne Scheme, & so do I. Beyond that community of object we have nothing in common. He was very communicative on his relations with the Archbishop of Canterbury who uses him as his intermediary in his dealings with the Eastern Churches. He said that he (Riley) wrote the prayer which their Graces recommended for use in behalf of the Russian Church. This is an odd situation. The Archbishop is not well–placed for standing up to these "Catholick" law–breakers, when privately he is under obligations to them. Hicks, who has charge of the aspirants to Ordination who, to the number of about 2000, have come from the Army [sic]. He speaks well of them, but thinks there are too many of the "server", & "Sunday School Teacher" class.

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